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earthstar

~ a celebration of nature

earthstar

Category Archives: animals

A Water vole does lunch

25 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

British mammals, Water vole

I was listening to a Water rail squealing from the reeds growing alongside a local brook, getting tantalising but very fleeting glimpses of it moving stealthily along the water’s edge, when I realised I could hear another sound, a slight but regular rustling. I scanned the edge of the brook again and there, sitting in plain sight, was the well-camouflaged brown blob of a Water vole, munching contentedly on a green reed. It made for a much more obliging photographic subject, and a very cute one at that.

230125 water vole

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Cute but deadly

23 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

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American mink, British mammals, Cardiff Bay, invasive mammal, Mink, Neovison vison

One of the many disadvantages of the huge accumulations of rubbish in Cardiff Bay is that these areas provide perfect homes for predators like this Mink. It was weaving through the logs and tyres and other assorted junk, popping its head up here and there, almost like it was playing hide and seek. It was fascinating to watch, of course, but it will prove deadly for any unsuspecting wildlife that nests or even snoozes in the area.

220323 mink (2)

This is not a native species; it’s an American mink (Neovison vison), whose ancestors escaped or were deliberately released from fur farms around 70 years ago (they were first recorded breeding in the wild in the 1950s). They are the reason why Water vole numbers plummeted in the 1990s, and have caused huge damage to bird populations in various places (the Mammal Society website has more information). A creature that’s cute but also deadly.

220323 mink (1)

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V is for vole

27 Monday Dec 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

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British mammals, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, vole, Water vole

Only one animal has featured in this countdown to date so I decided we needed another, and what better than a cute little Ratty – Water vole, that is, not Brown rat, though I see rather more rats than Ratties these days. If you’ve been following along here for a while you may remember this handsome little beastie that was munching away on reeds in the brook at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park back in May.

211227 water vole

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F is for fox

11 Saturday Dec 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

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Tags

British mammals, fox, Red fox

Though often more common than we realise, especially in urban locations, the fox is still quite an elusive creature, and I’m seldom lucky enough to see one – or, if I do, it’s often just a fleeting glimpse as one crosses my path in the distance (as happened back in July). Better those fleeting glimpses though, than the sight of a dead fox lying beside a busy road (as happened very recently), which is very upsetting to see.

211211 fox

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Sick rabbit, dead fox

30 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

British mammals, dead fox, fox, rabbit, sick rabbit

During Sunday’s walk I came across this very sick-looking rabbit, sitting at the end of a local no exit road. I don’t think it had been hit by a car – no obvious signs of injury, and I doubt it had myxomatosis – eyes clear and bright. But, later, on Twitter, a contact suggested it might have had RVHD2 (rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease) as that often shows no outward signs. The only positive thing about that diagnosis is that the rabbit usually dies quickly, instead of suffering the horrific lingering torture of myxomatosis.

211130 sick rabbit

Monday’s walk took me round various Cardiff streets on the hunt for particular leafmines (more on that next Monday) and, sadly, this time I found a dead fox. In this case, I think the poor creature probably was hit by a car as it was lying just off the verge of a very busy road.

211130 dead fox

I was almost dreading what today’s walk might bring but I’m extremely relieved to report that I found nothing injured or deceased!

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The squirrel’s tail

23 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

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Tags

British mammals, grey squirrel, squirrel's tail

This must be the strangest thing I’ve found when out leafmining: part of a Grey squirrel’s tail. There was no sign of the rest of the squirrel and the tail was lying right next to a busy road, so I’m guessing the creature narrowly escaped death by car but is now looking much less bushy!

211123 squirrel's tail

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Opportunists

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

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brown rat, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, rat, Rattus norvegicus

The rat population at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is thriving thanks to the generosity of those folk who leave seed for the birds. The rodents are fearless opportunists and extremely cheeky, approaching to grab their share of the bounty even before people have stepped away, but they do at least share the seed with the birds. The rats stuff their mouths full of seed and scuttle away, whereas the squirrels monopolise the seed, staying put and not allowing the birds to approach.

211117 rats

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Red fox

14 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

British mammals, fox, Red fox

Imagine my surprise when I looked up from photographing a butterfly yesterday to see this magnificent creature watching me from further along the woodland ride. I managed to get just a few snaps before it turned tail and disappeared into the undergrowth.

210714 fox

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Baby bunny

26 Saturday Jun 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, mammal

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

British mammals, Forest Farm, Forest Farm Nature Reserve, rabbit, young rabbits

It’s not only birds you can see from a bird hide. When I enjoyed my first (post-lockdown) wander in 18 months at Forest Farm Nature Reserve yesterday, I naturally visited both bird hides to see what was about. I didn’t venture inside the hides, thought it safer to peer through the slots in the tall fences on either side, and, though I did see one particularly beautiful bird, it was actually the family of young rabbits that held my attention. This little cutie was adorable. Those ears!

210626 baby bunny

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Holes

03 Saturday Apr 2021

Posted by sconzani in animals, birds, insects

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Tags

animal hole, burrow, hole, insect hole

One of the many definitions of the word hole is ‘an animal’s burrow’, and some of hole’s many synonyms are cavity, chamber, cave, cleft, cranny, den, lair, nest, shelter, and tunnel. These photos show a few such places, possibly but not definitely created and occupied by Great spotted woodpeckers, rabbits, voles and/or shrews, bees, and beetles. What amazes me is how perfectly engineered so many of them are.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

210402 holes (3)

210402 holes (4)
210402 holes (5)

210402 holes (6)210402 holes (7)

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About me

sconzani

sconzani

I'm a writer and photographer; researcher and blogger; birder and nature lover; countryside rambler and city strider; volunteer and biodiversity recorder.

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